On Thursday, Governor Kay Ivey announced she recently signed has signed a bill requiring the Alabama Department of Education (ALSDE) to develop and implement an electronic notification system that will share emergency information between schools and the state.

House Bill 89, requires ALSDE to implement the system by October 1, 2017, which would allow emergency information to be shared with local schools, local school systems, the department, and the Governor.

“As a former school teacher, I know the importance of keeping everyone informed of what is going on in our schools. This notification system is a much needed source of information to clarify the sometimes murky communications in times of emergency,” Ivey said in a press release. “I appreciate Representative Alan Baker for his hard work and leadership sponsoring this legislation.”

Sponsored by Brewton-Republican Rep. Alan Baker, the bill saw overwhelming support in both chambers and passed unanimously in the Alabama Senate.

“As students are engaged in the educational process, whether attending school or in transport by bus, their safety is of utmost importance. I applaud Governor Ivey for her strong support of education with an emphasis on school safety,” Baker said.

The intent of the bill is that all local schools and local school systems use the electronic notification system as a means to input specific information relating to school delays, early releases, shelter-in-place information, and other emergency-related information to improve communications on all levels.

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